Every month, We The Action recognizes volunteers who expand access to justice and deliver free legal services where they are critically needed. This month, we are proud to honor law students Kelci Dansie and Barbara Monteiro de Souza, whose partnership with Helping Ourselves to Transform has helped advance a survivor-centered bill in Maryland that could change how the legal system responds to domestic violence cases before the court.
Kelci Dansie, George Washington University Law School, JD Class of 2027
Barbara Monteiro de Souza, Columbia Law School, LLM Class of 2025
Congratulations, Kelci and Barbara!
“Thanks to We The Action volunteers, we're better equipped to push for systemic reforms that directly impact those most harmed by the criminal legal system. Ultimately, this work helps ensure that the lived experiences of our community members are reflected in meaningful, rights-affirming policy solutions.”
— Dr. Carmen Johnson, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Helping Ourselves to Transform
Advancing Reform Through Collaboration: Helping Ourselves to Transform (HOTT) is a social justice institute working at the intersection of trauma, incarceration, and gender-based violence.
The organization identified a systemic gap in that many incarcerated women are survivors of domestic violence, and their trauma played a significant role in the conduct that ultimately led to their incarceration. Despite this reality, survivor pathways are often missing from both legal and policy responses.
To address these injustices, HOTT turned to We The Action for help with legal research, legislative drafting, and policy coordination.
Meet the Volunteers: Two rising law students are being recognized this month for their leadership and professionalism.
Kelci Dansie, a 2L at George Washington University Law School, played a central role in advancing the project. She met with legislators and representatives from Governor Moore’s office, conducted legal research, and helped coordinate stakeholders.
Drawing on her previous experience at the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, where she reviewed domestic violence cases, Kelci recognized how legislation like this could meaningfully support survivors and the communities most affected.
Barbara Monteiro de Souza, a practicing attorney in Brazil and recent LLM graduate (Class of ‘25) from Columbia Law School, contributed a global and comparative lens to the project. She reviewed draft legislative language and HOTT’s impact report, strengthening both with precise and actionable revisions. Barbara also joined policy meetings with academic experts in the matter to discuss strategic steps of the project.
Barbara appreciated the opportunity to learn about the different perspectives in the law and felt immense gratitude to be able to view the results of her work and how the legislation could make a tangible impact on individuals' lives.
“What stood out most about Barbara and Kelci was the level of professionalism, leadership, and accountability they brought to high-stakes work,” says Dr. Carmen Johnson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of HOTT. “They each operated like trusted partners, raising the standard of the work while helping the team maintain momentum.”
The Impact of Advancing Survivor-Centered Legislation: Kelci and Barbara helped shape the creation of the PATH Act, legislation that allows evidence of domestic violence to be introduced as a mitigating factor during sentencing or modification hearings.
“Across Maryland, too many women remain behind bars not because they are dangerous, but because systems failed them long before they entered a prison cell,” said Dr. Johnson.
The legislation currently sits before the Maryland legislature under HB0084, with its next hearing scheduled for this February.
The Importance of Pro Bono Work: For both students, this project provided an opportunity to grow as legal professionals and revealed how pro bono service can contribute toward meaningful change.
“Sometimes law students feel they cannot contribute because they are not attorneys yet. But the research and writing skills we learn in law school are crucial to projects like this,” shared Kelci.
Barbara emphasized the value of collaborative learning. “It was incredibly valuable to learn from people with different perspectives and expertise. Being able to exchange ideas with Dr. Johnson and other experts in domestic violence made the experience rich and meaningful.”
Dr. Johnson underscored how vital the pro bono support has been to HOTT’s momentum.“Without We The Action connecting us with professionals, it would be extremely difficult for us to succeed.”
To follow in their footsteps and support mission-driven organizations like HOTT, sign up for a We The Action project today.